Notre Dame Football: 5 impactful newcomers for the Irish

These five players could affect Notre Dame football’s fortunes next season.

This is an interesting season for the Notre Dame football team. Veteran quarterback Ian Book is gone along with four starters from last season’s offensive line. As a result, the Irish lost more NFL-caliber talent than they have in a long time.

Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame football staff have done an amazing job of improving recruiting and identifying and developing talent in South Bend. This season will demonstrate how well the talent depth has improved with so many holes to fill this fall.

The Irish used the transfer portal to their advantage this cycle. Though Notre Dame signed just two members from the portal, they are experienced veterans. In addition, Jack Coan from Wisconsin and Cain Madden are plug-and-play starters who look to contribute this fall (although Tyler Buchner is pushing Coan for QB1).

In addition to the portal, the Irish had one of their better recruiting cycles in the Brian Kelly era, finishing ninth in the 247sports.com recruiting rankings. There are some players Kelly and his staff recruited that will either be game one starters, rotational players, or key contributors this fall.

Look for Avon High School standout Blake Fisher to push to become the starting left tackle this fall. Wide receiver Lorenzo Styles is too fast to keep off the field despite the returning talent at receiver this fall.

Here is a closer look at five players who will have an impact on the Irish this fall.